Europe Travel Itineraries • European Touring Guide
England, France and Italy travel itinerary
in 18 days

Enjoy a tour in the European countryside with your own prepared itinerary. On this tour you will discover the variety of Europe. England with its old castles and medieval towns, France the country of Love, fine cuisine and wines and with its gorgeous nature and romantic Italy with charming picturesque Italian villages. The Tour lasts 18 days. You will travel at a comfortable pace. Discover Europe in a relaxed atmosphere, with its variety of traditions and cultures and beautiful nature.

First Day - London - Bath (England) - Tour starts in London ( England ), in London's International Airport or in your hotel. Bath is a unique beautiful city. Its hot springs, Roman Baths, splendid Abbey and Georgian stone crescents have attracted visitors for centuries. The countryside surrounding Bath is amazing and it is one of England's most beautiful places to visit. Bath, also called "The World Heritage City", is famous for its Roman remains and its Georgian architecture. You will arrive Bath around noon. The rest of the day is free to relax, lean back and enjoy one of England's most beautiful cities and the countryside around.

Second Day - Sightseeing in Bath - Roman Baths - Bath Abbey - Building of Bath - Museum Visit to the Roman Baths Around Britain's only hot spring, the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water. See the water's source and walk where Romans walked on the ancient stone pavements. Bath owes its origin and ultimately its name to the springs which produce about five hundred thousand gallons of water a day at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. During the first century C. E. the Romans turned this backward village into a fashionable spa dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva, from which the city took its Roman name: Aquae Sulis. Near the hot spring which feeds the baths there was a temple dedicated to Sulis Minerva where pilgrims came to pray to that goddess when seeking cures, before bathing in the sacred waters. Roman baths were part of the day-to-day life in Ancient Rome. The Roman Bath in Bath, contains one of the best examples of a Roman bath complex in Europe. Visit to the Bath Abbey Bath Abbey is one of Bath's parish churches on the site on which Christian worship has taken place for over one thousand years. Bath Abbey stands at the heart of the city of Bath and was founded in 1499, it belongs to England's last great medieval churches. Visit to the Building of Bath Museum The only museum in Bath about Bath. Housed in a beautiful gothic chapel, the museum shows how Georgian Bath was developed, built, decorated and lived in. A hands on experience of an amazing triumph of architecture. The Bath Museum explains how and why this magnificent city was built, decorated and lived in. In a period of 70 years Bath developed from a small provincial spa to being the most fashionable place, outside of London. Using a series of models, maps, paintings and reconstructions the museum looks in detail at the various crafts and personalities that built this wonderful city.

Third Day - Bath - Stonehenge - Arundel - Arundel Castle - Newhaven - Visit to Stonehenge Stop in Arundel The historic town of Arundel, West Sussex lies at the foot of the South Downs on the River Arun. The town is overlooked by the country's second biggest castle, the Arundel Castle. Visit to the Arundel Castle Arundel Castle has nearly 1,000 years of history. It is situated in magnificient grounds overlooking the River Arun in West Sussex. The great Castle was built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel. Arundel Castle belongs to the Treasure Houses of England. Each having its own unique place in history and is also home for priceless works of art.

Fourth Day - With the Ferry from England to France - Newhaven to Dieppe - Rouen - Art Gallery - Amboise - Visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts (art gallery) in Rouen ( ca. 1-2h ) The "Musée des Beaux-Arts" ( art gallery ) in Ribeau is one of the richest collections of paintings and sculptures from the 16th to 20th centuries. The museum houses includes many masterpieces of David, Véronèse, Rubens, Caravage, Velasquez, Poussin, Gericault, Delacroix, Corot, Degas, Dufy, Modigliani, Duchamp-Villon, and the magnificent Impressionist collection of Monet, Renoir and Sisley. Amboise is a pretty medieval town on the banks of the Loire. The town is dominated by the remains of the large chateau. The narrow streets contain some good examples of timbered housing. Today Amboise represents a small but charming market town, it was once home of the French royal court.

Fifth Day - Amboise - Museum of the miniature Castles - freshwater aquarium - Amboise Castle - Walk in Amboise - Visit to the "Le Parc des Mini-Chateaux" (Museum of the miniature Castles) The Museum of the miniature Castles is a park with over 40 models of the most famous castles of the region. You feel like in a fantastic world with all these amazing castles. It is better to visit the Mini Parc before visiting some original castles so you'll have a basis of knowledge of what you have seen in miniature. Visit to the "Aquarium du Val de Loire" ( freshwater aquarium ) In the freshwater aquarium you will see fishes that can be found in the Loire river as well as those which frequent tropical rivers such as turtles, piranhas and even sharks. Visit to the Amboise Castle The Amboise Castle was built in the 15th and 16th centuries by the order of Charles VIII, Louis XII and François I and was the first royal residence of the French Renaissance. This royal castle introduced the Italian style to the Loire Valley. Today the castle is a place of memory and prestige and has a prestigious collection of Gothic and Renaissance furniture. Leonardo de Vinci, invited by King François I, died at Amboise on May 2, 1519. He is buried in the Saint-Hubert Chapel in the castle. Overlooking the city of Amboise, the castle gardens offer one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Val de Loire.

Sixth Day - Amboise - Limoges - Padirac - National Porcelain Museum - Stop in Limoges. Limoges is known worldwide for its medieval enamels ('Limoges enamels') on copper, for its 19th century porcelain ('Limoges porcelain') and for its oak barrels (Limousin oak), which are used for Cognac production. Visit to the National Porcelain Museum Limoge is famous for its handmade and handpainted porcelain. We will visit the National Porcelain Museum in Limoge. This Museum holds a worldwide collection of glass, porcelain, pottery, stoneware and Limoges porcelain, as well as tin-glazed earthenware dating from 1500BC to the present day. The Museum also explains how the ceramics are made, fired and decorated.

Seventh Day - Padirac - Carcassonne - Canal du Midi - Art Museum - Bastide Saint-Louis - The Medieval City Carcassonne - The Walled City of Carcassonne is known first and foremost as a fortified medieval town, but it has actually been occupied by man since 6th century BC. It was first occupied as a gaul settlement, but then the Romans moved in during the 3rd and 4th Cenuries A.D. The Medieval City is still the largest fortified town in Europe and is made up of two huge ramparts each being flanked by 26 towers, in all covering an area of almost 3 km. The huge castle is built on the western face of the city and was constructed in the 12th century and in the 13th century was taken during the Albigensian Crusade and it was then annexed to the royal estate. Visit to the Canal du Midi A magnificent work achieved in the 17th century by Pierre-Paul Riquet and diverted through Carcassonne in 1777-1798, the Canal du Midi has been included in the World Heritage List of U.N.E.S.C.O. since 1996. Visit to the "Bastide Saint-Louis" The "Bastide Saint-Louis" is a jewel in Carcassonne. The Bastide is surrounded by beautiful Boulevard streets, which are built in the 18th and 19th century. It's a pleasure to visit the Bastide and the romantic Boulevard streets. Eighth Day - Carcassonne - Nimes - Cassis - Roman Theatre of Orange - Nimes, today the capital city of the Gard department, is one of the finest examples of prosperous Gallo-Roman settlements in southern France. Originally named Nemausus (for the local god of spring), the city served as a regional Celtic capital. Though succumbing to Roman control in 121 BC, the city's continued importance was assured by its location on the Via Domitia, the main Roman road between northern Italy and Spain. The city was cosmopolitan for its time, being a collection of a variety of peoples, with a variety of backgrounds. Military personnal who had served in Egypt; traders from all around the Mediterranean; natives from inland France and Germany; all mingled with Roman administrators as well as settlers which had moved to the frontier looking for a better life. Enjoy this historical city with its variety of attractions. Visit to the Roman Theatre of Orange Orange was a Roman colony called Arausio, founded in 40 B.C. by veterans of Caesar's Second Gallic regiment. It developed rapidly during the reign of Emperor Augustus and it was at this time, the 1st century A.D., that the theatre was built. The Roman Theatre of Orange is one of the oldest in Europe and one of the most impressive. Enjoy the visit and let your mind go back to the roman time. Ninth Day - Cassis - Grasse - Panoramic Drive over the road "La Route Creter" - Bandol - Panoramic View - We will arrive Grasse in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free for own arrangements, for shopping or just relaxing. The French perfume industry started in Grasse in the 16th century as an extension of the glove industry. Grasse had been a flourishing leather and tanning center since the 13th century. When perfumed gloves became fashionable, the town provided them, and when the leather business faded away, the perfume became king. Grasse was ideal because of the sunshine and micro-climate that facilitated the growth of the most delicate flowers. Tenth Day - Sightseeing in Grasse - The International Perfume Museum - Cathedral of Grasse ( "Notre Dame du Puy" ) - Grasse Garden ( "Jardin des Plantes" ) - The big attraction in Grasse is the International Perfume Museum. There you will find interesting facts all around the perfume and its history and culture. One of the most beautiful and interesting Cathedral in France is the Cathedral of Grasse "Notre Dame du Puy" from the 12. century. The style is simple. The structure reflects the Lombardian influence. There you will find the beautiful and very old paintings of Rubens, Charles Negre and the Triptychon of Louis Brea and at least the only religious painting of Jean Honore Fragonard "Die Fusswaschung". Grasse has plenty of flowers and gardens. In former times compared with today the city had much more gardens and flowers. One of the well-known gardens is the plant garden ("Jardin des Plantes"). The garden belongs once to Napoleon's sister, who rested there during the winter. You have an amazing view over the old part of the city and the sea. Eleventh Day - Grasse - San Remo - Finale Ligure San Remo is famous for its Pasta and Sauces. The Italian tradition of Pasta and Sauce started here. Our Lunchtime will be in San Remo, so if you want you can taste the delicious Pasta. San Remo is also called the Town of Flowers, its flowers are well-known all over the world and this can be clearly seen in its luxuriant gardens, its colourful flower beds, and in the town parks where tropical plants flourish. We will arrive Finale Ligure in the late afternoon, evening. Finale Ligure is a lovely sunny place on the Ligurian Coastline, named in the past 'Gulf of Whales' for the continuous passage then and now of all the different kind of whales. Finale Ligure testifies history since the early times over the middle age until our days. The surroundings and the mild climate make this place to one of the most loveliest on the Flower Riviera. The landscape mountains near the sea and beaches near the green hills are amazing and if you are a fond of nature you will love it! Twelfth Day - Finale Ligure - Camogli - Pisa - The Old Habour of Camogli - Church of Camogli - Castle of Dragonara - Situated on the western Portofino promontory, Camogli is an ancient seaside village in the wonderful Paradise Gulf on the Eastern Riviera. Not too far away from Genova, Camogli is a unique place where the colourful houses are located directly onto the old harbor, which is still the center of the village life. If you really want to meet the local fishermen, then don't miss it. Unlike in many other seaside resorts, time seems to have stopped in Camogli and people there take it easy. Enjoy the sight of the old fishermen's houses which have been painted yellow, pink and red, the relaxing atmosphere, dream away with the gentle waves, taste the typical Italian pasta or fresh seafood and visit the small but lovely souvenir stores. Visit and walk to the old Harbour The old and charming Harbour is still crowded with fishing boats, ferries and yachts. The harbour is shielded by a pier and dominated by the castle and the old parish church at the top of steep stairs. Visit and walk to the Church of Camogli The Church of Camogli has been rebuilt several times over the centuries, but its Baroque features are quite visible. It contains some famous paintings by L. Bambiaso and other XVII and XVIII century artists. Visit and walk to the "The Castello della Dragonara" (Castle of Dragonara) The Castello della Dragonara (Castle of Dragonara), whose first foundations date back to the year 1000, is perched on a rock from where you can have a stunning view of Camogli and its harbor. The Castello della Dragonara or Castello Dragone was built to protect its people when pirate raids and political feuds would disrupt the everyday life of the villages. Thirteenth Day Pisa - Pisa and the Leaning Tower Pisa, located in western Tuscany, is known throughout the world for its famous Leaning Tower, but there is so much more to Pisa than just this striking landmark. The ecclesiastical city of Pisa began life as a seaside settlement around 3,000 years ago and was first laid out in the mid-eleventh century. Pisa is crammed full of wonderful, historical monuments and buildings dating back many hundreds of years and much of Pisa has retained its medieval appearance. Pisa is also known for its excellent university, which was established in 1343 and has become one of Italy's top schools. Synonymous with Pisa and Italy, the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre Pendente) is known throughout the world. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually the bell tower of the Pisa cathedral and when visiting the tower, it is hard to understand how it has remained standing after more than 700 years. There are other medieval towers in Italy that have failed to keep upright, but it is the Leaning Tower of Pisa that has captured the world's imagination. The tower has always tilted and nobody ever put his or her name to it, so who was to blame for the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a mystery. The Day in Pisa is free for own arrangements. Feel free to do whatever you want. Do a little sightseeing in this great italian city and don't miss the famous Pisa Leaning Tower. Pisa offers a great variety of stores and shops, so enjoy your shopping tour. If you feel just to relax, so lean back in a typical italian cafe and enjoy the atmosphere of the italian life. Fourteenth Day - Pisa - Piombino - Ferry to Rio Marina - Elba's Mineral Museum We will arrive Piombino at noon. Piombino is a charming old town with romantic medieval streets. Originally a sleepy fishing village, it is today a picturesque and typical Italian resort with narrow cobbled streets winding down to the harbour. Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere, dream away with the gentle waves, taste the typical Italian pasta or fresh seafood and visit the small but lovely souvenir stores. Rio Marina, the Iron capital, the mines and the port were used in the excavation and transportation of the mineral, which are still in Rio Marina. This charming town is full of color which characterize this small town, from the color of the houses to the color of the sand, the color of the very essence of her foundations. It is the most easterly town of the island and is famous above all for its iron minerals: pyrite, ilvaite, limonite, hematite, oligist and others. Visit to "The Elba's Mineral Museum" The collection in the Mineral Museum consists of nearly 1,000 minerals and rocks of the Elba Island. The museum also includes photographs and topographical maps of the mining sites. Here you will find a lot of information about the typical italian minerals and rocks. Fifteenth Day - Piombino - Tarquinia - Etruscan Tombs - Archeological Etruscan Museum - The town of Tarquinia crowns a rocky platform, facing the sea, in a barley- and corn- growing region interspersed with olive groves. Tarquinia is famous for the Etruscan burial ground which lies quite near. Tarquinia is one of the most important Etruscan cities. This once-powerful city was an important economic and political center, which played an influential role in the development of Rome and it's still evident in its narrow streets, which spill into quaint squares and lovely palaces. Visit to the Etruscan Tombs On the Monterozzi hill, 3 km from town, lies the Necropoli Etrusca with about 6.000 tombs of every shape and dimension, many of which completely painted. It is certainly one of the most important among the necropolises known up to now, because it comprises many room-type tombs with decorations which can be considered the most complete documentation of the development of the Etruscan painting from the 6th to the 2nd century BC. Sixteenth Day - Excursion to Civitavecchia - Archeological Museum - Terme Taurine - Port - Walk in Civitavecchia Civitavecchia, the Roman Centumcellae, has been the port of Rome since the reign of Trajan and now handles maritime traffic with Sardinia. The port is guarded by the Fort of Michelangelo, a massive Renaissance construction which was begun by Bramante, continued by Sangallo the Younger and Bernini, and completed by Michelangelo in 1557. Civitavecchia is like a mirror where you can find the roman past. Let your mind go back through the italian history and learn about the romans and their great culture. Visit to the Archeological Museum The Archeological Museum is located in Clement 3rd's house and includes marble, bronze and ceramic material. Special attractions are the grave goods and a famous collection of statues, also an Apollo, a Roman copy of Athena Parthenos by Phidias and a female figure with Cupid. Visit to the Terme Taurine There are two groups of baths (terme): the first (to the west) dates from the Republican period and the second, the better preserved, is roman and was builtby Trajan's successor, the Emperor Hadrian. During our walk through Civitavecchia we will also visit the famous roman port. Seventeenth Day - Tarquinia The last day in Tarquinia and of our tour is free for own arrangements, like relaxing, shopping, sightseeing in Tarquinia. Don't miss the typical Italian pasta, which is well known all over the world. Eighteenth Day - Tarquinia - Rome - In Rome, drive to your accommodation or to the International Airport in Rome.